4 Takeaways From Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix

[ad_1] INDIANAPOLIS — The commerce hypothesis. The rumors. The non-answers. The revelations.

By means of someday of the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix, the rumor mill is already spinning in Indianapolis, the place high draft-eligible prospects might be doing interviews in addition to bodily and medical evaluations with all 32 groups all through the week.

Listed below are my 4 takeaways from Day 1, which featured media availabilities with a big swath of NFL head coaches and common managers:

1. C.J. Stroud rumors symbolic of simply how steep decline has been Two years in the past at the moment, C.J. Stroud appeared to be on a famous person trajectory and on observe to problem the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson within the AFC. He’d simply put collectively the most effective rookie quarterback seasons in league historical past, main Houston to a playoff victory.

Tuesday, we noticed Texans common supervisor Nick Caserio shoot down rumors that Houston might transfer the previous No. 2 total decide.

"Moronic," he mentioned, partially.

Caserio’s response is justified, certain. However the hypothesis is emblematic of simply how a lot — and the way rapidly — the notion of Stroud has tumbled.

After an underwhelming second season in 2024, the previous Ohio State star continued his inconsistent play this previous 12 months, hurting the excessive hopes of a Texans crew that boasted arguably the NFL’s greatest protection. Stroud accomplished 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns in opposition to eight interceptions in 14 video games in 2025. He added 5 interceptions and 5 fumbles (two misplaced) in Houston’s two playoff video games, together with 4 picks within the divisional-round loss to New England.

"He’s our quarterback," Caserio mentioned. "He isn’t going anyplace."

As needs to be the case.

Stroud's decline since his excellent rookie season is alarming, however not a lot in order that the Texans — or anybody — can neglect what he’s proven he will be at his peak.

The largest factor is {that a} mega extension doesn’t make sense this offseason (he’s eligible for a second contract, as he’s finishing three full seasons). The logical transfer could be to choose up the fifth-year choice on his rookie contract by the Might 1 deadline — that might give him a completely assured $27.249 million for 2027 — then revisit his future after the 2026 season.

2. Raiders’ return in potential Maxx Crosby commerce might surpass Micah Parsons deal Whereas saying a number of occasions that he expects Maxx Crosby to be a Raider in 2026, Las Vegas common supervisor John Spytek wouldn’t go so far as to say that the All-Professional defensive finish is untradeable.

"We’re at all times listening," Spytek mentioned.

In fact, these remarks will solely add gas to the commerce hypothesis surrounding Crosby. That thought began gaining momentum on the finish of final season, when the five-time Professional Bowler was pissed off with the crew’s choice to put him on season-ending injured reserve with two video games left within the 12 months. FOX Sports activities’ Jay Glazer reported forward of the Tremendous Bowl that Crosby is probably going performed in Vegas.

Contemplating the time of 12 months, Spytek’s "we’re at all times listening" comment may very well be interpreted as hold the affords coming! In the event you’re a contending crew with a pass-rush want, it might primarily be malpractice to not at the least poke round and provides the Raiders a name. Glazer has mentioned when the information of his discontentment broke final season, "at least 20 groups" reached out to him.

Jay Glazer provides replace Maxx Crosby's future with Raiders In August, the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Packers for defensive deal with Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. Parsons is 2 years youthful and Crosby has two fewer All-Professional nods within the final 5 seasons, but it surely’s affordable to imagine that what the Raiders can get for Crosby might exceed what Dallas acquired from Inexperienced Bay for Parsons.

Why? Demand, for one.

Few, if any, league observers believed that the Cowboys would truly commerce Parsons, a younger famous person go rusher. A lot of Jerry Jones’ earlier contract disputes with cornerstone gamers ended with mentioned gamers staying put in Dallas. It’s a giant a part of the explanation why Parsons getting traded to the Packers was a seismic shock for the league.

In Crosby’s scenario, although, his discontentment is well-known and has been for months. Which means extra groups can line up, which drives up his worth for the Raiders, who're in an advantageous place for a fast rebuild. Las Vegas ranks second in cap house ($91.5M), per Over The Cap, and holds eight picks within the upcoming draft, together with the No. 1 total decide. And that’s with Crosby nonetheless on the roster.

3. Two offensive-minded HCs quit playcalling Broncos coach Sean Payton and Panthers coach Dave Canales each introduced Tuesday that they’d be relinquishing playcalling obligations in 2026 to their offensive coordinators. In Denver, that’s Davis Webb, who was a sizzling candidate previously head coach interviewing cycle. In Carolina, that’s Brad Idzik, who’s coming into his third season because the crew’s OC.

Essentially the most clear profit for head coaches is that it permits them to take extra of a CEO-like position operating their groups. They get to spend vital time with all three items — not simply the part they concentrate on.

Non-playcalling head coaches have had extra seen success as of late. Mike Vrabel led the Patriots to the Tremendous Bowl in his first 12 months as coach. Nick Sirianni has had the Eagles in two of the final 4 Tremendous Bowls.

I’m unsure this can turn out to be a large development. The Seahawks' Mike MacDonald, in spite of everything, simply turned the primary defensive playcalling head coach to win a Lombardi Trophy. The likes of Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid are all nonetheless calling offensive performs.

However I do imagine relinquishing playcalling obligations may very well be extra commonplace for groups trying to retain promising assistants. The 31-year-old Webb in Denver is a good instance. The Broncos go recreation coordinator and quarterbacks coach final season, Webb obtained a number of head coach interviews this offseason earlier than finally returning to Payton’s employees.

4. Fewer trades, non-premium place gamers poised to outline 1st spherical of draft Chiefs common supervisor Brett Veach mentioned Tuesday that there’s an "old-school" really feel to this 12 months’s draft class.

"You are at all times going to O-line, D-line, these positional values are there," he defined. "You see them in free company. However on the similar time, I imply, arguably, among the greatest gamers on this draft are possibly at non-premium positions. While you take a look at the Ohio State linebacker [Arvel Reese], the Notre Dame operating again [Jeremiyah Love], the protection from Ohio State [Caleb Downs]. So, these are actually, actually good gamers. It’s arduous to seek out fault with their tape. Actually strong. However once more, a few of these extra premium positions — inside D-line, edge rushers — they're arduous to seek out."

Safeties like Caleb Downs sometimes aren't chosen within the high 10 of the NFL Draft, however the lack of blue-chip quarterbacks may assist the Ohio State star be one of many first gamers drafted. (Picture by CFP/Getty Pictures)

This is only one common supervisor’s opinion, however many league observers and draft analysts have shared this sentiment. And this was already shaping to be a quiet first-round commerce sort of draft, with there solely being one consensus blue-chip quarterback (Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who’s anticipated to go No. 1 to the Raiders).

Don’t be shocked to see "greatest out there" be a real emphasis for groups throughout the NFL on the high of the draft this 12 months.

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